My wife's niece Kelly got married on 12/27/2008 to Brian. Kelly had always wanted a winter wedding so off we went to beautiful Highland Indiana on the 26th. What made it interesting was the ice storm that went through on the night of the 25th...
We delayed leaving an hour as several of the roads we would take were having issues. Lots of accidents. Lots and lots. Finally got on the road around 10:45 and all was good...till we hit Halsted and I-294S. Traffic stopped. Not slowed but stopped. A truck had jack knifed at Calumet and 294 and only one lane was open. Going from 5 to 1 was not pleasing so I went south on Halsted and worked my way over to Kelly's parents house. The ice was 2 inches thick on the drive way. Kelly's father Matt had chipped out enough for me to unload my elderly father-in-law and his wife safely. Soon the women headed off to the nail salon, thing1 went with Matt to get their tuxes and I took the old folks to the hotel and got them settled. I even got to relax for an hour or so. Whee. Fired up the laptop and tried to use the hotel wireless. Slow. Very slow.
It was soon time for the rehearsal. Got the old folks moving and headed up Indianapolis Blvd. Rain. Lots of ice everywhere. Potholes the size of Yugos. Fun. The parking lot at the church was covered with 2 inches of ice. My father-in-laws wife uses a cane and had lotsa fun getting into the church. Afterwards the rain picked up as we headed back to the hotel. Wedding day morning brought even more rain. And no more ice. Matt's driveway was clear when I dropped off the girls to get their hair done. Later on at the church the ice was gone as well. It was windy and raining but at least there was no ice.
And soon Kelly and Brian were married. Beautiful service using the best of the two ministers present. And it was off to the reception. Well - once the limo got out of the way. It was blocking the egress from the handicapped spots. Once there we were treated to wonderful food and music to dance to. Even thing1 got dragged out on the dance floor. Thing2 wouldn't stop dancing! The bridal party was on the floor for every dance. So were a couple of the under 5 crowd. Jack and Riley latched on to each other even though they had never met and had a blast.
Soon the midnight hour approached and we went to the hotel. Sleep came quickly...
We woke to sunshine this morning. It was chilly and windy but the sun felt so good. As we got closer to home we noticed that the foot of snow that was there on Friday was gone. We have the remnants of a few snow banks but otherwise it's all gone. Buffy was at home with a family friend and appeared to have had a good weekend.
Home sweet home.
Showing posts with label Thing2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thing2. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Great Day
My wife and I both took the day off to spend together. She had been talking about going shooting with me and, since weekends at the local indoor range is a zoo, we went today. She hadn't really shot a gun since the late 80's. Bought me several in that time but never pulled the trigger herself.
Got to the range just after they opened, signed in, got ready. She decided to shoot my Ruger Mark II. Showed her how to load, safety, etc. Explained that the Clark trigger on the pistol is really light and let her go. Within a couple of magazines she was shooting decent groups. 250 rounds later she was grinning and planning on taking a couple of her targets to work on Tuesday to show off. Me - I just put 250 rounds through my CZ-75 and Glock 17. Spent a lot of time on different shooting grips and pistol positions. I find that I shoot a lot better if I bring the pistol a little closer to my eyes.
Did some Christmas shopping after shooting. Found some deals on gifts for Thing2. Stopped at Claim Jumpers for lunch. They had a prime rib open face sandwich on special. Yumm. The potatoes were mashed and then deep fried like pancakes. So awesome.
And then it was time for conferences at school. Thing2 is doing pretty good. Some issues in Algebra but otherwise the teachers were happy.
What a nice day!
Got to the range just after they opened, signed in, got ready. She decided to shoot my Ruger Mark II. Showed her how to load, safety, etc. Explained that the Clark trigger on the pistol is really light and let her go. Within a couple of magazines she was shooting decent groups. 250 rounds later she was grinning and planning on taking a couple of her targets to work on Tuesday to show off. Me - I just put 250 rounds through my CZ-75 and Glock 17. Spent a lot of time on different shooting grips and pistol positions. I find that I shoot a lot better if I bring the pistol a little closer to my eyes.
Did some Christmas shopping after shooting. Found some deals on gifts for Thing2. Stopped at Claim Jumpers for lunch. They had a prime rib open face sandwich on special. Yumm. The potatoes were mashed and then deep fried like pancakes. So awesome.
And then it was time for conferences at school. Thing2 is doing pretty good. Some issues in Algebra but otherwise the teachers were happy.
What a nice day!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Fireworks
The finale from the fireworks in my town.
For the longest time Thing2, whose birthday is July 5th, thought the fireworks were for her...
For the longest time Thing2, whose birthday is July 5th, thought the fireworks were for her...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Back to work so I can rest
Yeah - it's an old joke but this was a tiring weekend.
Friday nightwas the wife's companyChristmas holiday party so we got home sometime Saturday morning. Up early to go Christmas shopping for my gift (CZ75C!!!) Saturday night was the Elgin Symphony Orchestra performance at the Sears Centre. Thing2 was singing as part of the ensemble choir. Not so late but still up past my bedtime. Last night Thing2 and I were at a SuperChic(K) concert in Naperville. Home by 10:00pm but - man I'm tired today.
Friday nightwas the wife's company
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Teenager Daughter Owner's Manual
(making the rounds at work)
Teenager Daughter Owner's Manual
Instructions for all those with teenage daughters or daughters who think they are teenagers or who will eventually be teenagers.
Congratulations! You are now the proud new owner of a teenaged daughter. Please read this manual carefully, as it describes the maintenance of your new daughter, and answers important questions about your warranty (which does NOT include the right to return the product to the factory for a full refund).
IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR TEENAGER IN ERROR:
To determine whether you were supposed to receive a teenaged girl, please examine your new daughter carefully.
Does she:
If any of these are true, you have received the correct item.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
When you first receive your teenaged daughter, you will initially experience a high level of discomfort. Gradually, this discomfort will subside, and you will merely feel traumatized. This is the "Break-In Period," during which you are becoming accustomed to certain behaviors that will cause you concern, anxiety, and stress.
Once you have adapted to these behaviors, your teenager will start acting even worse.
ACTIVATION
To activate your teenaged daughter, simply place her in the vicinity of a telephone or Instant Messenger. No further programming is required.
SHUTDOWN
Several hours after activation, you may desire to shut down your teenaged daughter. There is no way to do this.
CLEANING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Having a teenaged daughter means learning the difference between the words "clean" and "neat." Teenaged daughters are very clean, because they take frequent showers that last more than an hour. They will scrub themselves with expensive, fragrant soaps which you must purchase for them because like I'm sure I'm going to use like the same kind of soap my mom and dad use. When they have completely drained the hot-water tank, they will step out and wrap themselves in every towel in the bathroom, which they will subsequently strew throughout the house. If you ask them to pick up the towels, you are confusing "clean" with "neat." Teenagers are very busy and do not have time to be neat. They expect others to pick up after them. These others are called "parents."
FEEDING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Your teenaged daughter requires regular meals, which must be purchased for her at restaurants because she detests everything you eat because it is like so disgusting.
She does not want you to accompany her to these restaurants, because some people might see you and, "like I'm sure I want my friends to see me eating dinner with my parents". Either order take-out food or just give her the money, preferably both. If you order pizza, never answer the doorbell because the delivery boy might see you and, "ohmigod he is so hot!" Yes, your daughter's idea of an attractive man is the pizza boy.
CLOTHING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Retailers make millions of dollars a year selling stylish and frankly sensible clothing which will look adorable on your daughter. If you enjoy shopping, you will love the vast selections which are available to you. Unfortunately, your teenaged daughter wants to dress like a lap dancer. You may be able to coerce her into putting on a cute outfit before leaving the house, but by the time she walks in the schoolhouse door, she will be wearing something entirely different.
OTHER MAINTENANCE
Teenaged daughters require one of two levels of maintenance:
"High," and "Ultra High".
Your daughter is "Ultra High." This means that whatever you do won't be enough and whatever you try won't work.
WARRANTY
This product is not without defect because she has your genes, for heaven's sake. If you think this is not fair, talk to your parents, who think it is hilarious. Your teenaged daughter will remain a teenager for as long as it takes for her to become a woman, which in her opinion has already happened and as far as you are concerned never really will. If you are dissatisfied with your teenaged daughter, well, what did you expect? In any event, your warranty does not give you your little girl back under any circumstances, except that deep down she's actually still there--you just have to look for her.
Teenager Daughter Owner's Manual
Instructions for all those with teenage daughters or daughters who think they are teenagers or who will eventually be teenagers.
Congratulations! You are now the proud new owner of a teenaged daughter. Please read this manual carefully, as it describes the maintenance of your new daughter, and answers important questions about your warranty (which does NOT include the right to return the product to the factory for a full refund).
IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR TEENAGER IN ERROR:
To determine whether you were supposed to receive a teenaged girl, please examine your new daughter carefully.
Does she:
- look very similar to your original daughter, only with more makeup and less clothing?
- refuse to acknowledge your existence on the planet Earth(except when requesting money)?
- Sleep in a burrow of dirty laundry?
If any of these are true, you have received the correct item.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
When you first receive your teenaged daughter, you will initially experience a high level of discomfort. Gradually, this discomfort will subside, and you will merely feel traumatized. This is the "Break-In Period," during which you are becoming accustomed to certain behaviors that will cause you concern, anxiety, and stress.
Once you have adapted to these behaviors, your teenager will start acting even worse.
ACTIVATION
To activate your teenaged daughter, simply place her in the vicinity of a telephone or Instant Messenger. No further programming is required.
SHUTDOWN
Several hours after activation, you may desire to shut down your teenaged daughter. There is no way to do this.
CLEANING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Having a teenaged daughter means learning the difference between the words "clean" and "neat." Teenaged daughters are very clean, because they take frequent showers that last more than an hour. They will scrub themselves with expensive, fragrant soaps which you must purchase for them because like I'm sure I'm going to use like the same kind of soap my mom and dad use. When they have completely drained the hot-water tank, they will step out and wrap themselves in every towel in the bathroom, which they will subsequently strew throughout the house. If you ask them to pick up the towels, you are confusing "clean" with "neat." Teenagers are very busy and do not have time to be neat. They expect others to pick up after them. These others are called "parents."
FEEDING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Your teenaged daughter requires regular meals, which must be purchased for her at restaurants because she detests everything you eat because it is like so disgusting.
She does not want you to accompany her to these restaurants, because some people might see you and, "like I'm sure I want my friends to see me eating dinner with my parents". Either order take-out food or just give her the money, preferably both. If you order pizza, never answer the doorbell because the delivery boy might see you and, "ohmigod he is so hot!" Yes, your daughter's idea of an attractive man is the pizza boy.
CLOTHING YOUR TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Retailers make millions of dollars a year selling stylish and frankly sensible clothing which will look adorable on your daughter. If you enjoy shopping, you will love the vast selections which are available to you. Unfortunately, your teenaged daughter wants to dress like a lap dancer. You may be able to coerce her into putting on a cute outfit before leaving the house, but by the time she walks in the schoolhouse door, she will be wearing something entirely different.
OTHER MAINTENANCE
Teenaged daughters require one of two levels of maintenance:
"High," and "Ultra High".
Your daughter is "Ultra High." This means that whatever you do won't be enough and whatever you try won't work.
WARRANTY
This product is not without defect because she has your genes, for heaven's sake. If you think this is not fair, talk to your parents, who think it is hilarious. Your teenaged daughter will remain a teenager for as long as it takes for her to become a woman, which in her opinion has already happened and as far as you are concerned never really will. If you are dissatisfied with your teenaged daughter, well, what did you expect? In any event, your warranty does not give you your little girl back under any circumstances, except that deep down she's actually still there--you just have to look for her.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thing2 is home
After 4 days of driving over 2000 miles and 4 days of working in Biloxi, Mississippi doing post Katrina cleanup, Thing2 is home safe and sound. We were worried about her doing something like this but according to the adults that went along she was great. Worked hard, handled the lack of structure, and grew as a person.
What an awesome girl!
What an awesome girl!
Monday, July 09, 2007
On the road again
Thing2 has been a busy girl this summer. Two days after school let out we were in Nashville, Tennessee for a week. Spent some time with my sister and her husband as well as doing some touristy things.
A week after we got home she was off to Teen Camp with Crossroads for a week. Came home and we got to celebrate her 16th birthday and Independence Day.
Three days later she was off to Biloxi, Mississippi for a week to work on Katrina reconstruction with our church as part of the senior high mission trip. I had planned to go on along but I couldn't get the time off. She was a little nervous but went with a open heart and an open mind. I can't wait to hear her stories.
Two weeks after she gets back we're off again for a week. I almost get the feeling that she'll be happy to get back to school where she can relax.
A week after we got home she was off to Teen Camp with Crossroads for a week. Came home and we got to celebrate her 16th birthday and Independence Day.
Three days later she was off to Biloxi, Mississippi for a week to work on Katrina reconstruction with our church as part of the senior high mission trip. I had planned to go on along but I couldn't get the time off. She was a little nervous but went with a open heart and an open mind. I can't wait to hear her stories.
Two weeks after she gets back we're off again for a week. I almost get the feeling that she'll be happy to get back to school where she can relax.
Monday, March 26, 2007
An Interesting Day
Thing2 is on spring break starting today. She got to start by getting her braces off!!! She still has a semi-permanent retainer and one that comes out easily but no braces. The smile is awesome!
After she got home from the orthodontist a boy showed up. Not just any boy but a boyfriend! Grr Arg. The wife dropped them off at a local pizza place so they could have lunch. When I got home they were sitting in the living room talking. I sat down and we talked. The boy was polite at all times. Asked about where I worked and what we did there. When he reached out and took Thing2's hand I asked him if he liked old swords. It took a second but then he let go. I went on with the story of the sword my dad gave me years ago. He looked at little worried when I talked about the blood stains on the blade :-)
I took him home around 5:00. When he said good bye he said to expect to see more of him...
On the other hand when I mentioned to my wife that I needed a new gun ... she didn't argue...
After she got home from the orthodontist a boy showed up. Not just any boy but a boyfriend! Grr Arg. The wife dropped them off at a local pizza place so they could have lunch. When I got home they were sitting in the living room talking. I sat down and we talked. The boy was polite at all times. Asked about where I worked and what we did there. When he reached out and took Thing2's hand I asked him if he liked old swords. It took a second but then he let go. I went on with the story of the sword my dad gave me years ago. He looked at little worried when I talked about the blood stains on the blade :-)
I took him home around 5:00. When he said good bye he said to expect to see more of him...
On the other hand when I mentioned to my wife that I needed a new gun ... she didn't argue...
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Go Tour
What a night. Since Thing1 was going to be home for Spring Break I got tickets for the four of us to see Stellar Kart, Kutless, and the Newsboys at Life Changers International Church. This was a first for the wife as she's not really a fan of Christian music - unless it's in the green book. Thing1 had seen Stellar Kart and Kutless before so he had given us a preview of what to expect.
Thing1 and I got there early as it's a general admission show. We still ended up 5 rows from the back but stage center - which is ok as the auditorium is fairly small. Thing2 had to get something from the bands - it's just the way she is. Ended up with a Newsboys hat and buttons from Stellar Kart. Nothing from Kutless. At 8:00 the show began...
Stellar Kart is full of energy. Nice tight music and excellent vocals with meaningful lyrics (life is good but eternal life is better).
Thing2 captured a bit of one of her favorite songs.
They only played 6 songs but the energy was awesome.
After a 10 minute break Kutless came on. I wasn't expecting much as Thing1 had a bad review. They were great. Excellent mix of ballads and good old fashioned rock and roll.
And the it was time for the Newsboys. Paul Coleman came out and talked a bit while the stage was being changed. Paul discussed the Newsboys participation with Global Tribe to end poverty around the world. A few minutes later the Newsboys hit the stage!
I loved it. So did Thing2. Thing1 and the wife - not so much.
Cells phones rather than lighters
Some old school electronica Newsboys
And a spinning drum set
Awesome show. Good old fashioned loud rock and roll with a message.
If the Go Tour comes around - just GO!
Thing1 and I got there early as it's a general admission show. We still ended up 5 rows from the back but stage center - which is ok as the auditorium is fairly small. Thing2 had to get something from the bands - it's just the way she is. Ended up with a Newsboys hat and buttons from Stellar Kart. Nothing from Kutless. At 8:00 the show began...
Stellar Kart is full of energy. Nice tight music and excellent vocals with meaningful lyrics (life is good but eternal life is better).
Thing2 captured a bit of one of her favorite songs.
They only played 6 songs but the energy was awesome.
After a 10 minute break Kutless came on. I wasn't expecting much as Thing1 had a bad review. They were great. Excellent mix of ballads and good old fashioned rock and roll.
And the it was time for the Newsboys. Paul Coleman came out and talked a bit while the stage was being changed. Paul discussed the Newsboys participation with Global Tribe to end poverty around the world. A few minutes later the Newsboys hit the stage!
I loved it. So did Thing2. Thing1 and the wife - not so much.
Cells phones rather than lighters
Some old school electronica Newsboys
And a spinning drum set
Awesome show. Good old fashioned loud rock and roll with a message.
If the Go Tour comes around - just GO!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Another MG Concert
Thats what the wife was up to this weekend. She was off with her sister, her niece, and a friend to see Montgomery Gentry at the Holiday Star Theater. Since she won't drive to Indiana, Thing2 and I got to go along and hang out with my sister-in-laws husband.
Before the show they managed to run into the K-Man. He plays keyboards for the boys. The wife had bought a bottle of Wild Bunch wine as a gift.
Then it was off to meet other MG fans at a local bar and then on to the show.
Afterwards they managed to close down the bar in the hotel. Good thing they had booked a room so they didn't have to drive anywhere.
As for the me, thing2, and Matt - well our day wasn't as exciting.
Before the show they managed to run into the K-Man. He plays keyboards for the boys. The wife had bought a bottle of Wild Bunch wine as a gift.
Then it was off to meet other MG fans at a local bar and then on to the show.
Afterwards they managed to close down the bar in the hotel. Good thing they had booked a room so they didn't have to drive anywhere.
As for the me, thing2, and Matt - well our day wasn't as exciting.
Friday, February 23, 2007
A Better Greeting
Rather than I can't read email Thing2 greeted me with "I made the honor role!". Can I have 46 dollars to go on the cruise?
Money well spent.
Money well spent.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
I can't read my email!
Those were Thing2's first words to me after I walked in the door today from work. No 'Hi Daddy' or anything pleasant. I can't read my email. Since I have a domain registered for the family I figured the provider had a problem. Sure enough - the admin web page had a 'unplanned outage' message up. A couple of minutes later everything was working and Thing2 was happy. Life was good.
Hopefully tomorrows greeting will be 'Hi Dad!'
Hopefully tomorrows greeting will be 'Hi Dad!'
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